MXPA01010633A - Stackable, self-supporting container with sliding mechanical closure - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a container (10) comprising:(a) a semi-enclosed container body including a tubular structure having two open ends and a bottom panel enclosing one end of the container body, the other end of the tubular structure opposite from the bottom panel forming a substantially continuous outwardly-extending peripheral flange (25);(b) a lid (40) for selectively converting the semi-enclosed container to a closed container;and (c) a closure means (30) for sealing the lid to the container body, the closure means comprising a mechanical interlocking seal and a slideable mechanical closure (36) for sealing the mechanical interlocking seal. The container is preferably stackable and self-supporting, and the mechanical interlocking seal includes at least one interlocking bead and groove pair located on the lid and flange. The container may also be collapsible via folding of the tubular structure.

Description

SELF-CONTAINER CONTAINER AP1LABLE WITH SLIDING MECHANICAL CLOSURE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to storage containers, particularly those which are useful for containing and protecting various articles including perishable materials. The present invention further relates to such storage containers having improved sealability to contain and protect articles contained therein under a wide variety of conditions in use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Flexible storage bags that are used to contain and protect various items, as well as for the storage of perishable materials such as food, are well known in the art. Said pockets typically comprise a rectangular sheet of polymer film folded into itself and sealed along two edges to form a semi-closed container having two opposite opposed side walls, three sealed or folded edges, and one open edge. A closure formed integrally with the bag such as an interconnecting rib seal or separately provided such as a plastic or a wire-lined connection that completes the container assembly. Sliding locking mechanisms, which use a sliding plastic sleeve to force the interconnecting ribs in and out of the coupling, have become popular due to their comparatively easy handling and visual and tactile confirmation that the opening and closing operations have been completed successfully. As used herein, the term "flexible" is used to refer to materials that are capable of flexing or bending, especially repeatedly, so that they fold and flex in response to forces applied externally. Likewise, "flexible" is substantially opposite in meaning to the terms inflexible, rigid, or without flexibility. The materials and structures that are flexible, therefore, can be altered in form and structure to provide external forces and to shape the shape of the objects that come into contact with them without losing their integrity. Flexible storage bags of the above variety are typically formed from a polymeric film, such as polyethylene or other elements of the polyolefin family, in thickness from about 0.000508 cm to about 0.00508 cm. These films are often transparent but sometimes opaque and / or colored. Flexible storage bags of the commercially available variety currently provide a means for conveniently storing a wide variety of objects and materials in a generally disposable compartment device. Although the flexible storage bags of the above variety have enjoyed a good degree of commercial success, it is often difficult to use them in situations where articles or materials, especially liquids, must be poured into them while keeping the mouth of the bag in a sufficiently open condition. The flexible nature of the bags, although in some cases very useful, tends to require human or mechanical intervention to keep them open to fill them. With respect to rigid or semi-rigid containers, it is recognized that said containers have also had a high degree of commercial success by providing means to store a wide variety of contents. Such containers typically have an opening that holds an open condition for filling and is self-supporting with the opening in the proper orientation to fill it. Such containers are often provided with flat bottoms and tops to provide capacity for stacking. However, such containers are typically constructed of more expensive materials so that disposability is limited. further, said containers and lids are generally sealed by a mechanical interconnection closure involving interconnection ridges and grooves. Although such mechanical seals can be effective in preserving the contents of the container, some consumers experience difficulty in completely completing the closure operation and confirming by themselves that a satisfactory closure has been achieved. This occurs in this way, when the physical change in position of the lid between the interconnection and non-interconnection positions are comparatively small. Also, it is desired to provide a storage container that combines the desirable qualities of flexible bags and storage containers and minimizes the less desirable qualities of both approaches. More particularly, it is desired to provide a storage container that has improved sealability as to its use. It is also desired to provide a container that provides visual and / or tactile confirmation to the consumer that a satisfactory closure has been achieved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a container comprising: (a) a semi-enclosed container body including a tubular structure having two open ends and a lower panel enclosing one end of the container body, the other end of the opposite tubular structure from the bottom panel forming a peripheral flange extending outward substantially continuous; (b) a lid for selectively converting the semi-closed container to a closed container; and (c) a closure means for sealing the lid with the body of the container, the closure means comprising a mechanical interconnection seal and a slidable mechanical seal for sealing the mechanical interconnection seal. The container is preferably stacked and self-supporting, and the mechanical interconnect closure includes at least one interconnecting flange and a pair of grooves located in the cover and the flange. The container can also be folded when bending the tubular structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Although the specification concludes with the claims that particularly indicate and claim the present invention differently, it is believed that the present invention will be better understood from the following description together with the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which the reference numbers identify similar elements, and where: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a storage container according to the present invention in a closed condition. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the storage container of Figure 1 in an open condition and partially filled with solid objects. Figure 3 is a plan view of a storage container similar to that of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a representative slide guide element in accordance with the present invention. Figure 5 is an elevation view of the slide guide of Figure 4. Figure 6 is an elevation view taken along line 6-6 of Figure 5. Figure 7 is a perspective view of the storage container of figure 1 in a horizontal position in preparation for folding. Figure 8 is a perspective view of the storage container of Figure 1 in a partially folded and folded condition. Figure 9 is a perspective view of the storage container of Figure 1 in a fully folded and folded condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figure 1 represents a preferred embodiment of the present invention of a storage container 10 in accordance with the present invention. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the container for storage includes a body of the container 20 preferably formed unitarily from a piece of sheet material and a lid 40 preferably formed unitary with the body of the container 20. or at least hingedly connected to the body of the container in an articulated line 45. The storage container 10 also includes closure means 30 located adjacent the edge 28 to seal the peripheral portions of the lid 40 and the body of the container 20 to form a container or container completely closed as shown in Figure 1. The closure means 30 comprise the marginal portion of the lid 40 and the portion of the marginal flange 25 of the container body 20. The closure means 30 are opened, sealed and selectively resealed, as will be described hereafter. The articulated line 45 shown in Fig. 2 preferably comprises a unit vital joint, and may optionally be provided as a line of weakness by slots, perforations or the like which may optionally allow the lid to be separated from the body of the container. In the preferred configuration shown in figure 1, the closure means 30 is placed along all the edge portions 28 except for the articulated portion in the articulated line 45. However, under some circumstances a closing means formed by means of a greater degree of wrapping (such as , for example, a closure means that completely wraps the opening in the absence of an articulated line) can provide adequate closure integrity. The flange 25 can be formed unitary with the body of the container 20 or be provided as a separate material element attached to the body of the container. When provided separately, preferably more rigid material element, it is preferred here that the body material is formed in at least one small peripheral flange at its upper edge (defining the opening) with corners folded to form a point of Attached properly to attach the body of the container to the flange. As shown in Figure 1, the closure means 30 comprises a mechanical interconnect seal including at least one engagement flange 32 and a pair of element slots 34 in the coupling portions of the flange 25 and the cover 40. In a preferred embodiment herein, the flange 32 is unitarily formed with and projects upwardly from the flange 25 around the three free sides of the flange (i.e., not necessarily around the rear portion of the flange). container behind the joint) while the slot 34 has a complementary shape that is open at the bottom to receive the flange 32 therein. The closure means 30 also includes a sliding mechanical element or slide guide 36 that engages in a clamped manner with the rim and slot to remain attached to the container unless one or more other elements are deformed to allow their removal. The sliding guide 36 is measured and formed to slide freely over the flange and groove when fully engaged with each other to effect a sufficient seal seal. The sliding guide 36 therefore functions to seal the flange and groove together when it is delineated around the periphery of the container from one side to the other after the container has been opened.

Figure 4 is an elevational perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a slidable mechanical member, or slide guide, 36 in accordance with the present invention. As shown in Figure 4, and more particularly in Figure 5, the slide member 36 has a generally C-shaped configuration so that the ends of the slide guide can extend inwardly over the peripheral edges of the flange. 25 and the cap 40 in a superposed relationship to the flange 32 and the groove 34. The portions of the slide guide 36 that line the flange and the slot have a space therebetween that is small enough to force the flange and groove in the flange. interconnection coupling when the sliding guide is delineated in translation movement over a region of the periphery where the flange and groove are separated. The flange and groove are preferably spaced a substantially constant distance inward from the peripheral edge of the cap and the flange so that a sliding guide having a suitable inward extension can be delineated around the peripheral edge of the container without leaving spaces or unsealed portions of the flange and groove. In addition, although the closure mechanism of the present invention may be employed in containers having a circular, oval, elliptical or curvilinear cross-section, the closure mechanism of the present invention may be employed as shown in Figures 1-3 in containers of polygonal cross-section, such as rectangular and square containers, as the corners of the flange and lid, as well as the flange and the pair of grooves, are curved appropriately on the edges so that their radius exceeds the minimum necessary for that the sliding guide changes direction. Further, although the present invention has been illustrated and described in the context of a container having a single flange and a pair of slots, other arrangements may be employed wherein one or more slideways may engage one or more flange coupling pairs. and slots wherein the ridges and grooves are side by side to form consecutive seals, where they meet end to end, or where they occupy unconnected regions separated from the container. The storage container 10 is suitable for containing and protecting a wide variety of materials and / or objects contained within the body of the container. Figure 2 shows the storage container 10 in an open condition wherein the closure means 30 has been released so that the edge 28 can be opened to admit materials and / or objects inside the body portion of the container for storage 10. In Figure 2, a plurality of generic solid objects 99 are shown within the storage container 10. The lid 40 is preferably a unitary construction and comprises a central lid panel 42 and a lid structure 44, both of which can be formed of several elements if desired. The ability to build the container of multiple mixed material elements allows the use of diverse materials such as transparent polymer panels for lid panels or more rigid, elastic materials for flanges and lid structures regardless of the adaptation of materials to the body of the container 20. As best shown in Figures 1 and 2, the central lid panel 42 preferably extends downwardly to form a pan-shaped lid that forms a connection seal when adjusting a complementary depression or shelf in the upper portion of the container. body of the container to improve the sealing capacity. In the embodiment of Figure 1, the storage container 10 comprises two generally flat end panels 50, two flattened, generally planar side panels 60, and a generally flat bottom panel 70., whose panels form a semi-closed container having an opening defined by the upper flange 25. The end panels 50 include side edges 55 and lower edges 54, while side panels 60 include lower edges 64 and corner edges having folds convergent bases 62 and medial folds 61, with lateral folds 63. The folds are preferably formed in the material as lines of weakness by molding thin areas in the material, by grooving or other suitable methods. In the configuration shown in Figure 1, the storage container is in its open self-supporting condition. The flange 25 is preferably sufficiently resilient and rigid to help hold the open end of the container in an open condition as shown in Figure 1. Although the storage container described above with reference to Figure 1 provides many advantages compared to The flexible storage bags and storage containers commonly available, also includes additional features to allow the container to assume a self-supporting configuration to facilitate access to the product and the filling of the product without manual support for greater convenience of use. As used herein, the term "self-support" is used to refer to materials, structures, or containers that are capable of maintaining their orientation in a plane parallel to the direction of the force of gravity. For example, a self-supporting material, particularly a sheet material, may be maintained so as to extend upwardly parallel to the direction of gravity and maintain its orientation without bending or bending. Non-self-supporting materials will typically be bent or glued and will not be able to remain parallel to the force of gravity (ie "vertically") unless they are maintained so that they extend downward from their point of contact. support for. Correspondingly, a self-supporting bag or container is capable of maintaining its orientation with surfaces extending upwardly from its support base as opposed to the force of gravity without bending or bending.

In addition to the storage container 10 being acartabonado and of self-support preferably it is also easily folded or folded to provide an easy storage that occupies a minimum of space. Figure 7 shows a flattened storage container 10 as shown in Figure 1 placed laterally on its side in preparation to be bent. Fig. 8 shows a container for acartabonate storage 10 as shown in Fig. 1 but partially folded or in folded condition. Also, the medial folds 61 have been pushed inwardly from each other, leading to the lower edges 64 towards and generally parallel to the flange 25. Figure 9 shows a flattened storage container 10 in a fully bent condition where the folding continues until that the lower part 70 is substantially parallel to and is in close proximity with the flange 25 and the end panels are fully folded inwardly with respect to each other. The medial folds 61 can also be bent outward, if desired, which provides the additional feature to help lift the container when it is pushed inward. Also shown in Figure 7 is the optional reinforcement panel 72 which adds additional integrity and stability to the generally rectangular planar bottom panel 70. To avoid negative impacts on the fold of the container body, the lower reinforcement panel 72 preferably includes folds that are they substantially align with the side folds 63 for bending as described in Figure 7-9 or are preferably located between the folds 63, as shown.

The addition of additional reinforcements to the lower panel decreases the center of gravity of the empty container for greater stability before and during filling, increases the stiffness of the lower part of the container for added stability in most circumstances of full or empty, and reduces the likelihood that the bottom of the container will curve when filled with heavy contents. The reinforcement panel may be of material similar to that of the container body material or may be more or less different from durable material, and secured to the lower panel by adhesive application or other suitable means. It is preferred herein that when a reinforcement panel is used that is placed on the outer surface of the bottom panel instead of being on the interior surface it provides support and reinforcement without adding additional surfaces, joints and fissures inside the container where It can provide sites to imprison portions of the contents and create cleaning difficulties. The flexible sheet material used to form the body of the container is sufficiently flexible and foldable to accommodate the fold or bend of the main body between the open configuration of Figure 1 and the closed configuration of Figure 9. More particularly, the side panels 60 they are flexible enough to bend or flex themselves while the end panels 50 pivot inwardly with each other as the lower panel 70 moves toward the lid 40. Various compositions suitable for constructing the storage containers of the present invention include substantially impermeable materials such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), aluminum foil, coated paper (waxed, etc.) and uncoated, coated non-woven fabrics etc ., and substantially permeable materials such as light canvas, mesh, fabrics, non-woven fabrics, or film Perforated or porous cells either predominantly two-dimensional in nature or formed in three-dimensional structures. Said materials may comprise a single composition or a layer or may be a mixed material structure of multiple materials, including a substrate material used as a carrier for a substance. Materials that are useful for use in accordance with the present invention include a low density polyethylene film, with a thickness of 10 thousand, commercially available from Chevron under the designation of the manufacturer PE1122. The materials used as a closure means in accordance with the present invention may be formed unitarily and constructed as part of the body of the container for storage either before, during, or after assembling the container from its material components. Alternatively, said closure means may also be formed separately and attached to the body of the container for storage either before, during, or after assembly of the container. The material used for the closure means may be equal to or different from the material used to form the body of the container also in dimensions or in composition. The closure means may also incorporate additional features such as texture to provide an auditory or tactile cue when the slide guide is used or different colors on the flange and groove that produce a different color appearance when coupled (similar to commercially available closures). available in flexible bags). In accordance with the present invention, the closure means 30 provides the user with easy-to-use closing means for closing and sealing an opening in a storage container. The closure measurements 30 are easy to manipulate, since the only dexterity required is to grab or tighten the slide with a pair of opposing fingers and to move the slide guide through the extension of the open portion of the lid. to provide secure engagement of the flange and groove, thereby converting the storage container from a semi-enclosed container to a fully enclosed container. To open the storage containers of Figure 1, a user must grab a pair of opposing tabs 35 and pull them in opposite directions to initiate and propagate the separation of the opposite halves of the flange 71, and therefore, the closing means 30. To avoid conflicts between the tabs and the operation of the sliding guide, the tabs are preferably formed from the flange and the cover material by removing the portions thereof to leave isolated projections that do not project more, than the edge outside of the flange. As shown in the figures, a sinusoidal edge for the flange and a sinusoidal edge displaced from the cover phase is satisfactory. In addition to said use of the folded and sealed sheet material to form the body of the container, the body of the container can be constructed in any known and suitable manner such as is known in the art to make such containers in a commercially available form. The heat sealing or adhesive techniques can be used to join various components or elements of the container to themselves or to each other. In addition, the bodies of the container can be heat formed by blowing, or otherwise molded from an outlet preform or sheet of material instead of relying on the bending and joining techniques to build the bodies of the container from a network material or sheet. Although the particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

Claims (8)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - A container (10) characterized in that it comprises: (a) a semi-closed container body (20), including a tubular structure having an open end and a lower panel (70) that closes an end of said container body opposite said open end, the other end of said tubular structure opposite from said lower panel, forms a substantially continuous outward peripheral flange (25) defining a plane; (b) a lid (40) for selectively converting said semi-closed container to a closed container, and (c) a closure means (30) for sealing said lid with said body of the container, said closure means comprising a seal of mechanical interconnection and a sliding mechanical element (36) for sealing said mechanical interconnection seal, wherein said closing means comprise an interconnection flange (32) and a pair of grooves (34) located in said lid and flange and the element Slidable mechanical for coupling said interconnecting flange and pair of slots, said interconnecting flange and pair of slots define at least two orthogonal linear segments in a plane defined by said flange.

2. The container according to claim 1, further characterized in that at least one of said covers (40) and said flange (25) includes flanges (35), said flanges projecting outward to the outer edge of said flange.

3. The container according to claim 1, further characterized in that said tubular structure includes two opposite side walls (60), two opposite end walls (50) between said side walls, said side walls and said end walls together said tubular structure.

4. The container according to claim 3, further characterized in that said side walls (60), said end walls (50), and said bottom panel (70) are formed unitarily from a continuous sheet of material .

5. The container according to claim 3, further characterized in that said side walls (60) include a corner that extends in a direction substantially parallel to said bottom panel (70), and wherein said side walls are folded inwardly and outwardly and said end walls (50) are bent inwardly from each other, such that said container is folded in a direction normal to said lid (40) and said lower panel while substantially self-supporting while said side walls. and said end walls are in their unfolded orientation.

6. The container according to claim 1, further characterized in that said cover (40) is attached to said container (10) by an articulated line (45), and said interconnecting flange (32) and pair of slots (34). ) extend outward beyond the articulated line.

7. The container according to claim 1, further characterized in that said tubular structure has a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape.

8. The container according to claim 1, further characterized in that said container (10) is stackable and self-supporting.